An Agency Story

Do 80% of Agency Goals Fail Before February? Most agency owners start the year with ambitious goals but many start slipping by February. Why? Because setting a goal isn’t enough. You need the right strategy. In this episode, I break down: The biggest mistakes agency owners make in goal setting How to reverse-engineer success instead of relying on hope Why arbitrary timeframes can sabotage your pro...

Company: Growth Machine Owners : Nora Schlesinger Year Started: 2017 Employees: 26 – 49 What happens when you take over a business you didn’t start? In this episode of An Agency Story , Nora Schlesinger, CEO of Growth Machine, shares her unexpected journey from first employee to agency leader. From working with Slipknot’s manager to running a baking blog, Nora’s path to agency ownership was anythi...

Company: Fare•well  Owners : Kevin Watkins Year Started: 2016 Employees: 1 – 10 What happens when you quit your job, launch your agency, and become a new parent all in the same month during a global pandemic? In this episode, Kevin Watkins, founder of Farewell, shares how he made bold choices in uncertain times, built a mission-driven business, and stayed focused on what truly matters. Inside this...

Company: Fixel Owners : Vin Thomas Year Started: 2010 Employees: 1 – 10 When creativity meets intention, big things happen. In this episode, Vin Thomas, founder of Fixel, shares how one standout client relationship helped define his agency’s direction and how trust, clarity, and sharp instincts shaped every decision along the way. Inside this episode: How to protect your team culture with a “slow...

Company: Termageddon Owners : Hans Skillrud Year Started: 2017 Employees: 1 – 10 Welcome to An Agency Story podcast, I’m your host Russel. On this episode, we have Hans Skillrud, Co-founder of Termageddon. Termageddon creates and automatically updates all things privacy policies based out of Saint Charles, IL. Hans faced a tough call when he decided to sell his agency and concentrate on building o...

Company: Brand Viva Media Owners : Mark Labriola II Year Started: 2007 Employees: 1 – 10 What do you do after your dream music career ends and you’re laid off with no backup plan? Mark Labriola II went from the national spotlight on American Idol to building a successful content agency driven by grit, creativity, and an unshakable positive mindset. This episode explores the mindset shifts and toug...

Company: FutureNow Marketing Owners : Taylor Hill Year Started: 2012 Employees: 11 – 25 What happens when your niche hits a ceiling and the future of marketing shifts under your feet? In this episode, Taylor Hill shares how he built a dominant agency in the chimney and hearth industry, the wild moment that landed 60 clients from one event, and why he’s betting big on AI. You’ll hear hard-won lesso...

Company: Two Octobers Owners : Kris Skavish and Nico Brooks Year Started: 2010 Employees: 11 – 25 What happens when two analytically minded leaders who swore off entrepreneurship build an agency that challenges everything about traditional leadership? In this episode, Kris Skavish and Nico Brooks of Two Octobers share how they’ve created a people-first marketing agency rooted in empowerment, data...

Company: Atomic Idea Owners : Duane Ciacco Year Started: 2005 Employees: 1-10  What happens when your agency co-founder is the one literally holding things together like a couch cushion during a shoot? In this episode, Duane Ciacco, co-founder of Atomic Idea, shares how an unexpected layoff led to building an agency rooted in creativity, no-jerks hiring, and real client partnerships. Learn how he’...

Company: Wide Foc.us Social Media Owners : Eric Elkins Year Started: 2007 Employees: 11 – 25 How Teaching Made Him a Better CEO (And Saved His Agency) In this episode, Eric Elkins, founder of WideFoc.us, shares how his journey from biochemistry labs to elementary classrooms ultimately shaped the way he leads his social media agency. Eric reveals the critical leadership mistake that nearly cost him...

Company: HVH Media & Marketing Owners : Hayden Van Hulzen Year Started: 2013 Employees: 1-10  What happens when your agency’s biggest client is a billion-dollar adult toy brand and your team is expected to test the products? In this episode, Hayden Van Hulzen of HVH Media & Marketing shares her unexpected path from pre-med student to agency owner, the wild client moments that shaped her jo...

Company: Phaser Marketing Owners : Luke Eggebraaten Year Started: 2019 Employees: 11-25 What if going all-in on a niche could transform your agency and your purpose? In this episode, Luke Eggebraaten, founder of Phaser Marketing, shares how he went from flipping go-karts in college to leading a mission-driven digital agency serving the Dirt World. Discover how a clear focus, smart business model,...

Company: Winger Marketing Owners : Karolyn Raphael Year Started: 1986 Employees: 1-10  Karolyn Raphael didn’t start Winger Marketing, but she made it her own...right after coming back from maternity leave. In this episode, she shares how she went from performer to PR agency owner, what she learned the hard way about leadership, and the uncomfortable truths behind growing a business that lasts. Key...

Company: Indigo Collective Group Owners : Mandy Idol Year Started: 2023 Employees: 1-10  The Energy You Forgot You Had Starting a business is electric. Filled with purpose, adrenaline, and scrappy wins. In this episode, Mandy Idol of Indigo Collective Group brings us back to that rare energy of year one and why it still matters long after you’ve "made it." Inside this episode: The bold m...

Company: Agency H5 Owners : Kathleen Sarpy Year Started: 2001 Employees: 51-100  What if the secret to winning big clients wasn’t your portfolio but your principles? In this episode, Kathleen Sarpy, founder of Agency H5, shares how she built a successful agency from her basement by leading with kindness, persistence, and a clear set of values. Learn how a values-driven culture can become your agen...

Company: Jolly Creative Agency Owners : Sarah Jolly Year Started: 2012 Employees: 1-10  What happens when quality, transparency, and intention become your business strategy? In this episode, Sarah Jolly of Jolly Creative Agency shares how a decade of thoughtful decisions, from hiring to service delivery, created a trusted and lasting agency. You’ll hear real lessons on growing a values-driven busi...

Company: Tagline Media Owners : Jonathan Shepley Year Started: 2001 Employees: 1-10  What makes someone walk away from a massive manufacturing company to acquire a small marketing agency? In this episode, Jonathan Shepley shares why he made the leap, how he’s building a high-impact agency, and what every owner should know about people, process, and positioning.  Key Takeaways Why clients who treat...

Company: All Terrain Owners : Brook Jay Year Started: 1998 Employees: 101 - 250 (Very Large) What Happens When a Brand Activation Blows Up Overnight? When a bold idea for General Motors takes off, Brooke Jay suddenly finds herself growing a team from 6 to 75 across the country. In this episode, Brooke shares the raw moments, biggest hiring missteps, and the framework that helped her agency stay cr...

Company: ColorWord Creative Owners : Amanda Garcia Year Started: 2016 Employees: 1-10  In this episode, Amanda Garcia, founder of ColorWord Creative, shares her journey from nonprofit fundraising to running a messaging-first agency. We talk about finding clarity, building community through StoryBrand, and how frameworks like Profit First helped her grow until they didn’t. Inside this episode: The...

Company: Alder & Co. Owners : Mal Alder Year Started: 2018 Employees: 1-10  What happens when a creative writer with anxiety takes a leap into agency ownership? In this episode, Mal Alder shares her journey from newsroom intern to founder of a growing digital marketing agency. Learn how personal growth, client trust, and doing honest work became the foundation for long-term success. Key Takeaw...

Company: Creative Direct Marketing Group Owners : Craig Huey Year Started: 1985 Employees: 26-50 (Medium) How often have you heard of someone walk in with a briefcase full of $1 bills to buy a company? In this episode, Craig Huey, founder of Creative Direct Marketing Group, shares how he went from teacher-in-training to direct response marketing veteran. You’ll hear what it really takes to stay re...

Company: Coconspirator Owner : Shane Needham Year Started: 2018 Employees: 1-10 Most agencies focus on execution but what if strategy is your entire business? In this episode, Shane Needham, founder of Coconspirator, shares how he built a brand and strategy consultancy that operates behind the scenes for major agencies and enterprise clients. You’ll hear why he embraced the agency label after resi...

Company: Solid Digital Owners : Jesse McCabe Year Started: 2007 Employees: 11-25  Creating a high-demand agency doesn’t require flashy tactics, just relentless focus. In this episode, Jesse McCabe, founder of Solid Digital, shares how his agency earned a waitlist of clients by prioritizing consistent delivery, quality, and client experience. Inside this episode: Why building a sales process before...

Company: Lifeblue Founders : Phillip Blackmon & Russel Dubree Year Started: 2006 Employees: 51-100  What does it really take to go from scrappy beginnings in a dusty cotton mill to building and selling a multi-million dollar agency? In this milestone 100th episode, An Agency Story host Russel Dubree sits down with longtime business partner and Lifeblue co-founder Phillip Blackmon to unpack the...

Company: Cascade Communications Owners : Jennifer Fortney Year Started: 2001 Employees: 1-10  What do cocktails, James Blunt, and media training have in common? In this episode of An Agency Story , Jennifer Fortney shares how her background in broadcast journalism, a spontaneous band performance, and a little green cocktail helped launch Cascade Communications. We explore what it takes to build a...